Updated guidelines and new deadline!
At Colorado Springs Utilities, we encourage all customers to better understand their energy use so that measures can be taken to improve efficiency. On the residential side, we have our free online profiles, and now, we're able to offer free energy audits to small businesses.
Small changes make a big difference, but there’s much more that can be done with a comprehensive audit and recommended capital measures. With funding from a U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, we are kicking off a pilot program in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. It provides free energy audits and partial cost recovery on retrofits to small businesses that qualify for the program over a sixth month period.
We are looking for small businesses that
- Have annual utility energy costs between $20,000 and $50,000
- Have not had an audit within the last five years
- Will provide auditors their gas and electric bills from the last 12 months
- Will implement half of low-cost measures identified by the audit
- Agree to match funds up to a cap of $15,000 to be spent on retrofit measures
- Consent to publication of findings
- Are in one of the following industries:
- Office
- Education
- Retail
- Food Service (restaurant)
- Lodging (hotel)
Stimulus Energy Audits and Improvements minimum customer investment has been reduced.
- The minimum financial commitment to receive matching funds has been reduced to $5,000.
- The smaller commitment of funds makes it easier for customers to qualify.
- Each site can still get up to $15,000 in matching funds.
- Professional energy audit is still free.
Not only can your project win with increased energy savings, but local students will also benefit from your participation. In partnership with Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado College and the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, an energy contractor will teach and work with students who are interested in this career field. The expert and students will conduct energy audits and retrofits for six months, as stipulated by the grant.
Details and deadline
- Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 20.
- All businesses will be considered and selection will be made by the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Utilities.
- Applications may be sent via e-mail to Gail Conners, issues manager, Colorado Springs Utilities.
You may send hard copy applications to Colorado Springs Utilities, ATTN: Gail Conners, Mail Code 950, P.O. Box 1103, Colorado Springs, CO 80947.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the Small Business Energy Audit Pilot Program?
The purpose of the program is to provide free audits and make improvements. The matching fund provision is intended to help extend the stimulus dollars and to relay the message to the community that to achieve meaningful savings, requires investment in most cases.
Can you financially support the minimum requirements of energy retrofit recommendations? How can we agree to that before we know what the retrofit recommendations are?
For a small business owner's assurance in value, the professional engineer doing the report is required to pre-qualify the capital measures such that they collectively provide a payback of five years or less. With the matching provision paid at project end, the payback should then be no more than 2.5 years. Engineers have been asked to de-rate their savings calculations by 30 percent to be certain that the savings and payback are real. In many cases, the paybacks will be better.
What do I need in order to apply?
To enter the program, you must agree to complete at least half of the low-cost measures (defined as those costing no more than $100) and identified capital measures at least up to $5,000. Matching funds are available to approximately $15k per site, but customers can enter with a commitment of as little as $5,000.
Can I know my financial commitment in advance?
No. The measures cannot be determined until the audit is complete; however, you have the assurance that identified measures will produce a payback on the investment of 2.5 years or less using the matching funds, and the audit will be performed by a professional engineer. There will usually be multiple measures identified so you can choose and have latitude in the choices.
